The inquest into the deaths of 144 mentally-ill patients will on Thursday morning continue to seek answers from a former Life Esidimeni senior nurse in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

Zanele Buthelezi has been giving evidence about her role in the marathon project to transfer the patients to unregistered and ill equipped facilities.

Former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu ultimately shut down Life Esidimeni.

On Wednesday, lobby group Section 27 which is representing the families of the deceased patients, welcomed the possible extension of the inquest.

Section 27 Spokesperson Julia Chaskalson says, “Section 27 has noted that the inquest continuing until the end of the quarter which is the 17th of September 2021. But may resume again in early November. This is because there’s more 30 witnesses all of whom have legal representation who need to be available for the inquest to continue.”

“When we do note the logistical challenge of coordinating these many people. Section 27 can move forward efficiently without further postponements or delays so that justice is not delayed for families of the deceased who died after being transferred from Life Esidimeni,” explains Chaskalson.

Former head nurse says they had no say patient transfers: